UCLA AASC: "Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca Appointed to City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission"

October 31, 2008

Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca, the Assistant Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, has been appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles.

Dela Cruz-Viesca also serves as the Managing Editor of AAPI Nexus, a nationwide journal published by the Asian American Studies Center focusing on Asian American & Pacific Islanders policy, practice, and community issues, as well as the coordinator and researcher of the Center's highly acclaimed Census Information Center, a joint partnership with the National Coalition of Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD) and the U.S. Census Bureau. She has authored numerous articles on Asian Pacific American demographics, community and economic development, affordable housing and homeownership, small business development, and educational issues.

Ms. Dela Cruz-Viesca is a member of the "Diverse Voices On Assets Clearinghouse" part of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Convening by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, hosted by the Ford Foundation. She is also a member of the U.S. Census Bureau, National Census Information Center Program Steering Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for the Advancement of Filipino Arts and Culture.

Dela Cruz-Viesca holds a master's degree in urban planning from UCLA and a bachelor's degree in ethnic studies and urban studies and planning from UC San Diego.